Why Aquarium Fish Need a Substantial Amount of Light

If you have aquarium fish as pets or are planning to get some, you’ve probably wondered about where to place them when it comes to the amount of light they need. Fish do not require large amounts of light to survive and thrive. However, they do some light.

That’s why if you continually keep your fish in the dark, you will most likely damage their health and well-being. After all, all life needs light to survive.


Reasons to Provide Your Fish With Light

Believe it or not, your pet fish has to determine whether it’s day or night. This is because they rely on light to know whether they should be actively swimming, resting or hunting. Like many other animals, they also have night/day cycles. As a result, if your pet fish is constantly in the dark, it may not be able to live life naturally.

However, if the room where you place your aquarium has no windows, it’s a good idea to invest in artificial light so that your fish can live the life it’s used to. After all, if you constantly keep your fish in the dark area, their immune system will be compromised.

On the other hand, if your fish has too much light, it will be stressed and try to hide. As a result, you will have to find a balance between light and dark.

Do Aquarium Fish Need Light at Night?

The answer is no. Your fish needs light during the day but not during the night. For instance, you could have the lights on from 8 AM to 6 PM. After 6 PM, switch off your aquarium’s lamp, and you will have a peaceful night.

If you notice that your fish is still swimming about during the night, don’t worry this is quite normal for many species of fish.

Are There Exceptions to This Rule?

Despite fish in the aquarium needing light to survive, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For instance, Many Catfish are nocturnal and don’t need a lot of light. It’s almost like they have a built-in sensor that tells them when it’s day or night.

Final Thoughts – Why Aquarium Fish Need a Substantial Amount of Light

Before going to an aquatics shop to buy your fish, consider whether the space where you will keep the aquarium is suitable. Although not always essential providing an aquarium with artificial light will enchance the colours of the fish and provide better conditions for growing plants.

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